Albert L. Cooper of 1406 Monroe Ave. was arrested Wednesday and charged with cultivation of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Clearwater police said they found 40 plants in various stages of growth inside Cooper's bedroom after executing a search warrant Wednesday evening.

They also found indoor grow lights, irrigation systems, a scale, fans, chemicals and a generator that were being used to grow the plants.

Cooper said he had been growing the marijuana for several weeks, but that it was for his own use, according to arrest reports.

Cooper has previous convictions on charges of temporary license tag fraud, obtaining property with a worthless check, driving while license suspended or revoked, and dealing in stolen property, according to Pinellas County court records.